Round one: Robin Hood Historic Forest Stages RallyGareth Lloyd/Ryland James scooped maximum points in the 2006 HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge during the Alternative Sign Centre Robin Hood Historic Forest Stages this weekend (4/5 March). However, classic victory on the event went to Peter Slights and Joyce Champion (Escort Mk2), who have yet to register for the championship.
The excellent growth in the classic category was clearly demonstrated when a record 23 car entry was received for the Nottinghamshire event. With both quality and quantity, and more cars set to join the series as the season develops, the classic series is fast becoming a big hit.
The action opened with three stages on Saturday evening when ice and snow gave crews a real test. Fastest from the start were Charlie Taylor and Steve Bielby (Escort Mk2) and they ended the first leg with a slender two-second lead over Slights/Champion, as Richard Lane/Frank Richer (Escort Mk2) emerged from Clipstone only seven seconds down on Slights. Down in sixth, however, having dropped half a minute were Lloyd and James. "I was being over-cautious," admitted Lloyd of the early stages.
Right from the start on Sunday morning, Slights attacked and grabbed the lead on the first Clipstone stage of the day. Lloyd was also on a charge and took fastest time overall in Clipstone South as he started his climb up the order.
Sadly, Taylor's fine performance ended with clutch problems just as Lloyd edged into second place during the final three stages. Meanwhile, Slight's faultless run netted victory by 29s. "We've knocked some cobwebs off the driver and we're heading in the right direction," he said at the finish. "Last night's times made us attack a lot more today," said Lloyd after matching Slights' pace throughout Sunday's seven stages.
With Taylor/Bielby out, series debutants James Potter/Bob Stokoe moved into an excellent third in their Escort and showed their title contender status by ending the event only 20s down on Lloyd.Another 20s back were classic regulars Martin Freestone and Joanne Lockwood (Escort Mk2), despite some concerns over a steering rack. "It was wandering around on the straights," reported Freestone of the long straights in the Clipstone complex. Wrapping up the top six with good results were the Escorts of Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing and Lane/Richer. The performance of Lane/Richer netted them a fine class D3 victory, having turned in one of the star drives of Saturday evening. The RS2000 of Arwel Evans/Gareth Roberts led the chase in D3.
Notable retirements included Rob Archer/Pete Field with an engine fire on their Escort Mk2 and Adrian Seabridge/Paul Vass who parked their Sunbeam Lotus with radiator damage after an off in Clipstone.
